First tri tip

[spider22]

I am planning on doing a 3 pound tri tip tomorrow. I am planning on cooking at 225. I know it is done when it is done but I would like an idea of approximate time so I can plan. I am thinking I should pull around 130 internal temp.

[NivekD]

For MR, I'd pull it at 120-125 and let it rest for 15 min. It'll get to 130 and be perfect. I should add that I would cook it at a higher temp...about 300 to 325.

[spider22]

About how much time should I plan before it is done?

[Fiveflat]

Good question

[NivekD]

Originally Posted by spider22

About how much time should I plan before it is done?

Don't cook by time...cook by temp.

[spider22]

Originally Posted by NivekD

Don't cook by time...cook by temp.

I plan on cooking by temp but I would like an idea of when to start it to have it ready at a certain time. I am not looking for exact just an estimate.

[benniesdad]

Best tip you got was from NivekD. Due to the odd shape of the tri tip you really have to use a probe and cook to temp. Time or touch doesn't work due to the odd shape and variations in sizes. I use the meat probe on my Maverick or the Polder and cook them to between 135-140. For planning, I sear 5 minutes on each side, then indirect for about 15-20 minutes until temp is reached.

[landarc]

For a 3 pound tri-tip, which if fairly normal, at 225F, I would allow an hour. It will get to around 125F internal, at that time, pull and sear.

Hmmm, I would add, I actually do not cook by IT or time, I do cook by feel. But, experience tells me that if you are at 225F, an hour for the main cook and reverse sear is an excellent way to go. There are many ways.

If you are going to do what most folks call Santa Maria style, then you would be direct heat, over a fire around 375F to 400F, you will want to place and flip the meat every 5 to 7 minutes, on the three sides, I know this is not what you have read, but, it will make sense. It builds the char on the surface like a direct heat method is best at, but, by frequent turning, the meat will heat slowly and evenly, pull at 130F, let it rest for 15 minutes. You are looking at a total cook time of 40 minutes or so.

If you smoke first then sear, you will be looking at 225F for an hour, as stated above, then rest and bring grill to temperature, if you have two grills going, this is easier, although a 5 minute rest between smoke and sear is good. Sear once the meat reaches 125F internal and sear over a very hot grill. No more than 3 to 5 minutes per side.

Searing first, then placing over low coals is another way to go, sear and then place into the cooker at 250F or so, run internal to 135F and pull, rest for slicing for 15 minutes. Total cook time will be around 35 to 40 minutes.

For a first cook, serve some apps and a little beer, if you run late, nobody will care

[spider22]

I am trying to get an idea if I want to pull it at 6:00 should I start it at 1:00 or should I start it at 3:00? I understand that I have to cook it by temp not time but I am trying to get an idea of when to start it to have it ready around a certain time. I don't mind if I am I am off by a half hour or so but I don't want to have it ready to pull 2 hours before we want to eat and I don't want to be eating at 9:00 either.

[landarc]

I like to tie my tri-tips if they have a long tail on them. I just take some twine and tie the thin tip back on itself a couple of inches, evens out the cook.

[landarc]

If you want to pull it at 6pm, start it at 4:45pm, smoke at 225F until 5:45pm, then sear and rest, you will be serving by 6:15 at the latest.

[Foxfire]

Originally Posted by landarc

If you want to pull it at 6pm, start it at 4:45pm, smoke at 225F until 5:45pm, then sear and rest, you will be serving by 6:15 at the latest.

+1 ^^^

My tri tips are usually 45 min but I often indirect cook between 250 and 275 instead of 225. If you plan to reverse sear, you can always let the tri tip rest a little more than it needs before you sear it to final temp, just to stretch time.

This has been posted before so may be old news, but great carving vid here:

How To Carve A Tri-Tip Roast - TVWB - virtualweberbullet.com - YouTube

[BBQ PD]

Tri-tip is nothing more than a big steak, so don't try and over complicate it. Cook it like a steak, let it rest, and slice. I cook hundreds of pounds of it, and I find that letting it rest for up to an hour works best. I cook it over direct heat, and it usually only takes 25 minutes to reach an internal of 125. Throw those babies in a warming box (Cambro, ice chest, whatever you have) an after an hour, you have Tri-tip heaven. So timing wise, once your cooker is up to temp, 1 1/2 hours and you're ready to serve. I know a lot of folks like to smoke then reverse sear, but were talking a steak, and IMHO, a steak should be cooked like a steak .

[rg02]

I cook my tri's on the kettle at 325 indirect to 120 then a quick sear(1-2 minutes per side) direct and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. An hour should be plenty if you cook at higher then 225. If you cook lower plan on 1.5 hrs to safe....

[bacchus99]

I cook them on a kettle. Cook indirect with some wood chips to about 110 them reverse sear. Rest and slice across grain.

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